SPLOST Projects

2016 SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax)On November 4, 2014 the citizens of Cobb County approved a 6 year Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for projects throughout Cobb County. The SPLOST began on January 1, 2016 and will run until December 31, 2021. As part of the SPLOST the City of Acworth is projected to receive approximately $21,208,827 over the 6 years of the SPLOST, funds are received monthly based on sales tax revenue.

In addition to the city's share of funds, Cobb County is contributing an additional $10,000,000 to the city for joint projects in the City. Cobb County is also funding projects in and just outside the Acworth city limits which will benefit the citizens of the City.

VIDEO SYSTEMS IN POLICE VEHICLES - $250,000

In February 2016 the city purchased a new Video Camera System which is being installed in all the city's police vehicles. The new system will give better video and audio recordings of police activity.

In addition the system integrates body cameras.

800MHz RADIOS - $375,000

The Acworth Police Department is part of the Cobb County radio system for public safety. Cobb County is upgrading the 800MHz radio system which necessitated all the user radios in the county to be upgraded.

In January 2016 Acworth purchased new mobile and hand held radios.

POLICE VEHICLES - $900,000

Throughout the 6 years of the SPLOST program the city will purchase new police vehicles. The approximate cost for a fully outfitted vehicle with all equipment is $47,000.

In February 2016 the police department purchased 13 vehicles to be added to the city's fleet in order for the city to implement a vehicle take home program for the officers in the department.

POLICE SOFTWARE - $375,000

The City of Acworth and the City of Kennesaw have a joint 911 center housed at the City of Kennesaw. Currently the two departments use a different software for reports and calls. The Acworth Police Department plans on converting its software to the same software as is used by the Kennesaw Police Department and the joint 911 center. Implementation of the conversion should begin in the fall of 2016 and take approximately one year to complete.

LOGAN FARM PARK IMPROVEMENTS - $3,200,000Logan Farm Park is an approximately 120 acre park located in the center of the city. Currently the park has a lighted 1/3 mile walking trial around a multipurpose recreation field with the trail also extending to Cowan Road and Cherokee Street, playground, public restrooms, Amos Durr Community Ball Field, Roberts School Community Center and the Rosenwald School.

As part of the SPLOST park improvements the has developed another 15 acres of parkland along Cherokee and Taylor streets to expand the park. Included in the improvements are open greenspace encircled by a walking trail which will connect to the existing walking trail in the park. A large destination playground, group shelter and restroom facilities. Construction was completed in December of 2016.

The Historic Farm House located in the park next to the Parks and Recreation Offices has been renovated and restored to become a meeting/gathering facility. The Farm House renovation was completed in August of 2017.

RECREATION CENTER - $11,000,000In addition to the $2,500,000 the City allocated for a new recreation center to be built in the city, Cobb County is contributing $8,500,000 for its construction. Design is currently underway and will be complete by the end of 2017. Construction is slated for early 2018 and is anticipated to take approximately one year. The new center will be located at the intersection of Cherokee Street and Logan Road in Logan Farm Park. The facility will feature a gymnasium with two full court basketball courts, a raised mezzanine walking track, a banquet hall, multipurpose room, classroom, and office space.

NEWBERRY PARK IMPROVEMENTS - $350,000The existing parking area at the Senior Ballfield will be replaced with new paving, stormwater improvements and sidewalk. The project is under construction and is expected to be complete in September of 2017.

LEMON STREET IMPROVEMENTS/EXTENSION - $1,000,000

Currently Lemon Street on the north side of the railroad tracks is a one way road. The road is off set as it comes over the railroad tracks making for an offset intersection with Southside Drive. The city plans to use $1,000,000 in addition to other city funds to make Lemon Street a 2-way street where it will intersect with Cherokee Street and School Street at a new traffic circle. In addition the street will be extended to Taylor Street giving pedestrians and vehicles direct access to the newly expanded Logan Farm Park.

Plans are currently being engineered, construction may begin in late 2016 or early 2017.

TAYLOR STREET EXTENSION - $1,000,000

Currently Taylor Street runs from Southside Drive to Cherokee Street with a 90 degree curve in front of the Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. The Taylor Street Extension will make the 90 degree curve into an intersection and Taylor Street will be extend to connect with Mitchell Hill Drive. It is anticipated that design will begin in early 2019 with construction in the summer of 2019.

NORTHSIDE DRIVE: CHEROKEE TO McCLAIN: - $1,225,000

Currently the 1/3 of a mile from Northside Drive to McClain is very narrow due to the encroachment of the railroad tracks and the topography of the land. The offset intersection of School Street and the Railroad crossing is also very awkward. This road project will make street improvements and drainage improvements to this section of the road as well at the School Street intersection. It is anticipated that design will begin in late 2020 with construction in the summer of 2021.

DALLAS STREET: McCALL PRIMARY TO BEACH STREET - $1,000,000

Dallas Street heading down to Cauble Park will be improved with new paving, sidewalk, curb and gutter, and stormwater. It is anticipated that design will begin in late 2021 with construction in 2022.

PAVILIONS AT CAUBLE PARK - $500,000

In spring 2019 and spring of 2020 plans are to replace some of the picnic pavilions at Cauble Park.

COURT SECURITY - $25,000

In early 2021 plans are to purchase new screening equipment for the Acworth Municipal Court.

JAIL IMPROVEMENTS - $150,000

In 2022 the Acworth Municipal Jail will need miscellaneous improvements to meet jail standards. Exact improvements will be determined in 2021.

LOCAL MATCH FOR FUTURE PROJECTS WITH FEDERAL, STATE, OTHER - $1,000,000

Working with the Federal Government, State Government, Cobb County or on some city projects there is the need for a match of funds. There is a chance that a match may be needed to help with the funding of improvements to State Highway 92. The city will use these funds for any matches necessary.

PAVING, SIDEWALKS & STORMWATER - $5,800,000

Each year the city makes improvements to its infrastructure. The Mayor and Board evaluate areas of the city where improvements are necessary and projects are then developed.

OLD HIGHWAY 41 - $3,000,000

This is a joint project between the City and Cobb County with each contributing one half of the funds for the project. Emphasis for improvements will be made on the section of Old 41 near N. Cobb High School and Blue Springs Road.

COBB COUNTY PROJECTS IN AND NEAR THE CITY

REGIONAL LIBRARY - $8,640,000

Cobb County has purchased land in the city at the intersection of Old Highway 41 and Blue Springs Road. The county will be consolidating the small libraries in Acworth and Kennesaw into a new state of the art regional library.

SENIOR CENTER - $2,160,000

The North Cobb Senior Center located in Kenworth Park will be expanded to offer additional services for the seniors in the north Cobb area.

HUBERT SOCCER COMPLEX - $2,600,000

Several of the existing grass fields will be converted to synthetic turf to allow for better playing conditions.

ACWORTH DUE WEST/MARS HILL CHURCH RD/JIM OWENS ROAD - $2,300,000

A roundabout will be constructed to replace the existing 4-legged all-way stop intersection to improve traffic flow.